Category: Critical care

Over 97% of reported vasopressor extravasation events that resulted in local tissue injury were from peripheral intravenous administration. For extravasation of norepinephrine and dopamine, the primary antidote is phentolamine, an alpha-adrenergic blocker that reverses the intense vasoconstriction causing tissue damage.

In the United States, there are an estimated 2.5 million traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) each year, with over 200,000 people hospitalized [1.7.1, 1.7.3]. Many severe cases lead to disorders of consciousness, prompting the urgent question: is there a medication to wake someone up from a coma?

Dobutamine is indicated for short-term inotropic support in patients with cardiac decompensation from depressed contractility. This powerful medication is a cornerstone in treating conditions like acute heart failure and cardiogenic shock, where improving heart function is critical.

According to the CDC, antibiotic resistance is a major threat to public health, making infections harder to treat. When faced with the question of **what if meropenem doesn't work?**, clinicians must investigate potential causes, from resistance mechanisms to patient-specific factors, to pivot toward effective alternative therapies.

Delirium occurs in up to 50% of intubated adults in the ICU and up to 85% of patients in palliative care [1.2.2, 1.7.3]. This article explores the historical and clinical reasons **why is Haldol preferred in delirium** management despite evolving treatment guidelines.

Delirium affects up to 80% of mechanically ventilated intensive care unit (ICU) patients, making the choice of antipsychotic for agitated individuals a critical decision. This article addresses whether **is Haldol better than quetiapine for delirium** by examining the comparative efficacy and safety profiles of these two widely used medications.

While overall mortality rates have decreased, neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) remains a life-threatening, albeit rare, adverse drug reaction. The cornerstone of treatment involves supportive care, but for the severe muscle rigidity that characterizes the syndrome, a specific muscle relaxant is often necessary. A primary muscle relaxant used for neuroleptic malignant syndrome is dantrolene, although its role and effectiveness, especially in combination therapy, is still debated.

While it may seem intuitive to use common intravenous fluids like normal saline (NS) or lactated Ringer’s (LR) to treat hypernatremia, neither is the primary choice for correcting the elevated sodium level. The therapeutic strategy depends heavily on the patient's volume status and requires a different approach using hypotonic solutions to safely restore fluid balance and lower sodium levels.

Intralipid, a sterile fat emulsion, has been a key component in clinical medicine for decades, notably gaining attention for its use in treating local anesthetic systemic toxicity. Knowing when should Intralipid infusion be done is critical, as its application and timing vary dramatically depending on the patient’s clinical need, ranging from emergency situations to long-term nutritional support.

According to StatPearls, while no absolute contraindications exist for norepinephrine in a life-threatening emergency, several critical conditions and scenarios warrant extreme caution or avoidance. A thorough understanding of what are the contraindications for norepinephrine infusion is paramount for patient safety and preventing severe adverse outcomes, particularly in conditions like shock.